The Technical University of Manabí (UTM), is a public institution of higher education located in the city of Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador. It was founded on October 29, 1952, in the presidential government of Dr. José María Velasco Ibarra. Its three substantive functions are: scientific research, the academy and relationship with society; intervenes with quality in all spheres and sectors, both public and private, through the support of students, teachers and authorities. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate studies in various specialties and modalities.
The Technical University of Manabí has full powers to organize itself within the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador, the Organic Law of Higher Education, its Regulations, other related laws, the Organic Statute of the Technical University of Manabí and the regulations issued to structure the organization of the institution. Currently the institution is accredited within the Higher Education System of Ecuador, for a period of five years, by Resolution of the Higher Education Quality Assurance Council (CACES).
The rankings that place the Technical University of Manabí among the best universities in Latin America are the Quacquarelli Symonds Ranking (QS) and the StuDocu World University Ranking. Other rankings that the public institution has are Scimago (SJR) and Webometrics rankings.
History
Ecuador in the 50's, under the government of Mr. Galo Plaza Lasso, entered into a modernization process, responding to technological advances in Latin America. In this context and taking into account that Ecuador and the Manabí province were eminently agricultural, it was necessary to create a Higher Education institution that offers professionals that meet the academic demands of the province and the country. This is how the Technical University of Manabí was created by the leadership of Dr. Julio Marín, representative for Manabí, and the support of Emilio Bowen Roggiero and Silvio Mora Bowen from Manabí, in the government of Dr. José María Velasco Ibarra, through Decree Legislative of October 29, 1952. The President of the Republic, Dr. José María Velasco Ibarra put the corresponding execution on November 21, 1952; however, the Technical University of Manabí did not start its work until June 25, 1954, the latter date being the one that actually commemorates its creation anniversary. The first rector of the institution was Engineer Paulo Emilio Macías Sabando, through Agreement No. 407, signed by the President of the Republic. Engr. Paulo Emilio Macías is recognized as the architect of the University, because he managed to make the project a reality through brilliant management, which gave prestige to the Alma Mater internationally. The UTM is created with the Faculties of Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Medicine, with majors in Agronomic Engineering, Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Medicine.
Rectors
The rectors of the Technical University of Manabí since its foundation in 1952 have been: Paulo Emilio Macías Sabando (1954–1966) Ignacio Hidalgo Villavicencio (1967–1970) José Manzo Quiñones (1970–1972) Francisco Flor Cedeño (1972–1973) Medardo Manciati Reyes (1973–1977) José Delgado Robles (1979–1983) Guido Arroyo Muentes (1983–1986) José Toro García (1986–1987) Guido Álava Párraga (1987–1996) Vicente Beltrón López (1996–1997) José Félix Véliz Briones (1997–2012) Vicente Véliz Briones (2012–2022) Santiago Quiroz Fernández (2022–Present)
Administration
The co-government of the Technical University of Manabí emanates from its teachers, students, employees and workers, in the proportions established in the Higher Education Law and is exercised hierarchically by the following organizations and authorities:
Honorable University Council. Rector. Academic Vice President. Honorable Faculty Board of Directors. Deans. Directors of Institutes. Vice-Deans. Departmental Coordinators.
The current authorities of the UTM are: Chancellor: Dr. Santiago Quiroz Fernández, Ph.D. Academic Vice Chancellor: Dr. Mara Molina, Ph.D. General Secretary: Atty. Gary Loor Fernandez. Attorney: Atty. Abner Bello Molina
Educative offer
Currently, the UTM has 13 Faculties, of which 12 are oriented towards Undergraduate education and the Graduate Faculty towards Master's/PhD programs.